This amusement park has been a thrilling family favourite in central Denver for decades.
Initially opened as a zoo in 1890, Elitch Gardens has been home to landscaped gardens, the good times of the Trocadero Ballroom, and finally, an amusement park. The first roller coaster was installed in 1904, while the merry-go-round which opened in 1928 is still going strong to this day.The park has always been a big favourite of the people of Denver and over time, as the crowds grew, they were obliged to transfer the park to a bigger site, moving to its current home in 1995. The theme park has now been combined with a water park – the best of both worlds. There are over 50 different amusements to excite and delight, as well as live entertainment and concerts on a regular basis throughout the summer.Scream your heart out on Ride the Boomerang, the Sidewinder or the Tower of Doom. Your legs swing free out the side of the Mind Eraser roller coaster, as it rushes around at speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour. If you'd prefer something at a gentler pace, enjoy the views from the 30-metre tall Ferris wheel, while youngsters are catered for with the KidSpin teacups in KiddieLand.Entry to the waterpark is included in the price here. Bigger children can put on their swimming clothes and enjoy the thrill of the Acapulco Cliff Dive or the 19-metre Paradise Pipeline, while littler ones will be amused for hours in Hook's Lagoon.There are plenty of side entertainments on site too. Try to catch a prize at Fried Frogs, or throw a ball into a milk churn to win a prize – an American carnival classic.Elitch Gardens Theme Park is open from May to October, with precise dates advertised on the website. Pay parking is plentiful, while the light rail service and the bus stop near the park entrance.
